AnMed Health employees soon will be able to find two new places to eat without straying far from the hospital on Fant Street.

Thai Spice opened this week at 414 E. Greenville St. in the Anderson building formerly occupied by Pita Way and Phoenix Grill. Another block up the street, the local Subway franchisees are renovating Weets Good Eats' building into an Italian eatery that could open in the next two months.

Nonglak "Doh" Panfuang of Thai Spice said she discovered the location after living in Atlanta and Asheville. She drove past Anderson many times, and liked the city for being not too small or too crowded.

Ms. Panfuang co-owns the business with friend and chef Karan Kalongrat, who's spent the past 10 years cooking, including some experience at hotels in Thailand.

Thai food has grown in popularity as Americans discover its health benefits and exotic flavors. Ms. Panfuang said Thai Spice is a chance for her and Mr. Kalongrat to share the food they love with people who might not have experienced it.

They've transformed the building's interior with tangerine walls, tile floors, black leather seating and leafy green plants. The once quick-service restaurant now provides a more intimate experience with silverware, linen napkins and food prepared to look as good as it tastes.

Some of Thai Spice's most popular dishes include its pad thai — a stir fry rice dish with egg, tofu, ground peanuts, scallions and beans sprouts — and curry dishes like the moussaman curry, with your choice of chicken, beef or pork in coconut milk with potato, avocado, cashew nuts and onion.

Lunch specials are less than $8, and dinner plates range in price from about $10 to $20.

Across the street at 307 E. Greenville St., Mo Albouchi and Jozef Labash are building their dream restaurant as well. The two already own and operate three local Subway restaurants, but this project is a chance to create something all their own.

The kitchen should be ready in two weeks and furniture is coming in soon, but DaVinci's Italian Restaurant is likely two months away from opening, Mr. Albouchi said.

The two are planning a glass addition to the front of the restaurant that will give guests the illusion of eating outside. The interior will be "something different," Mr. Albouchi said, likely including prints of Leonardo da Vinci's artwork and replicas of his sculptures.

DaVinci's will feature Italian food and specialty coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. Their vision includes separate seating areas with tables for diners and couches for folks who want to chat over coffee.

"It has been a long time that we've wanted to do that," Mr. Albouchi said as he described the restaurant. "We were just waiting for a good location."

The East Greenville Street building is close to their homes and in a high-traffic area that could pull business from AnMed, Anderson University and downtown as it continues to grow.